Powerful tighthead prop Lourens Adriaanse has been a stand out performer
since a
young age, having represented Western Province throughout age-group level.

On the back of an outstanding 2010 Varsity Cup campaign, where he was
instrumental in helping Maties win the title, Adriaanse signed for Griquas in 2011 and
was immediately drafted into the Cheetahs Super Rugby side.

A powerful scrummager with a high work rate, Adriaanse continues to play an
integral role for the Cheetahs.

Schooled at Michael House in Kwazulu-Natal, powerful tighthead prop Louis
Albertse went on to represent Natal at Coca-Cola Craven Week before moving to
Johannesburg where he represented the Lions throughout age-group level.

A strong scrummager who gets through a mountain of work around the park,
Albertse impressed the Blue Bulls coaching staff who were quick to sign the
strongman in 2012. Albertse's monumental scrumming displays and tireless work-
rate made him a standout performer for the Bulls in the 2013 Vodacom Cup
competition.

Albertse's form also got him notice by French side Aix en Provence, where the
big tighthead has signed a contract.

Stephan Bezuidenhout starred for Potchefstroom University (Pukke) in the
Varsity Cup competitions from 2009 through to 2011. His performances caught the
eye of Leopards and he made his Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup debuts in 2011
season. He impressed with some solid performances in his debut season in Top 8.

This young juggernaut of a prop may not come from one of South Africa’s
traditional rugby powerhouses, but the former Hermanus High School star has a big
future ahead of him just the same.

Tipping the scales at 112kg, Deacon can play anywhere in the front-row, but is
most comfortable anchoring the scrum at tighthead. Incredibly strong in the set-
pieces, the big man has speed that belies his impressive bulk, making him a go-to
ball-carrier for his team.

After impressing at Boland in the age-group sides, Deacon was snapped up by
Western Province who he represented at both U19 and U21 levels.

A product of Selborne College in East London, Michael Coetzee started playing
for Border u21 in 1999 and remained with the province until 2006 when he signed
to
play for Racing Metro in the French ProD2. Metro had big plans as a club and
Coetzee found himself playing alongside some world class players, not last of all,
Andrew Mehrtens.

His game grew stronger and he became a very well respected tighthead prop
in
France over the 3 years he spent at Racing Metro. By the end of 2008/09 season,
he had played over 70 times for Racing Metro and the club had gained promotion
to
Top 14.

In 2009 he decided to move to Castres even though Racing Metro were very
keen for him to remain at the club. It was not an easy decision for him to leave
Racing Metro at the time but he felt Castres, under the coaching of Laurent
Travers, would be a competitive team and a good environment.

In his first season with Castres, he struggled with injury but he came back
strongly in his second season and has subsequently extended his contract with
Castres for a further 3 seasons.

Coetzee is on the small side for a tighthead prop but his consistency in Top
14
indicates that he is a reliable scrummager and highly rated.

Ruaan Du Preez started his career with Boland in 2003 and gradually
progressed from the junior ranks to the senior team in 2007. His senior
performances impressed Western Province and they signed him in 2008 but a
change of coach meant he quickly moved to Griqualand West later the same year.
After two Currie Cup seasons with Griqualand West, he decided to sign for French
club, Bourgoin at the same time as his Griqualand West front row partner,
Albertus
Buckle.

His first season at Bourgoin was not an easy season as he had to have
surgery
on his neck. He returned to play well in the last 10 games of French Top 14
Championship but Bourgoin got relegated but Du Preez played well enough to catch
the eye of Oyonnax and joined them for 2011/2012 season.

After matriculating at Grey College in Bloemfontein, Larson represented the
Free State at
the 2002 Craven Week as well as at U20, U21 and Vodacom Cup levels.

A powerful scrummager, Larson played professionally in France for 2 years
before
returning to play for Eastern Province and Boland. He was chosen to represent
Namibia in the
2011 IRB Rugby World Cup, where he had the opportunity to play against some of
the best
players in the world.

Larson is not only a strong scrummager but also mobile around the park,
which will
make him a great asset for the SWD Eagles in 2012.

Former Springbok prop forward Brian Mujati was born in Zimbabwe and first
came to
prominence with some impressive performances for the Lions in Super 14 and
Currie
Cup in 2007. In 2008 he made a move down to Cape Town, performed
impressively
for the Stormers, caught the eye of the national selectors and quickly racked up
12
test caps. However his tour to Europe at the end of 2008 ended with a test he’d
rather forget against Wales.

After Super 14 in 2009, Mujati decided he needed a fresh challenge and he
signed a
2 year contract to play for Northampton Saints.

By the end of the 2 year contract, he was regarded as one of the leading
tight
head props in Europe. In his first season, he gradually improved and grew
stronger
with some outstanding performances. However in 2010/2011 season, Mujati along
with England hooker, Dylan Hartley and Tongan loosehead prop, Soane Tonga’huia
formed a Saints front row that regularly demolished opposing scrums.
Northampton
Saints were runners up in Heineken Cup and Mujati was shortlisted for Aviva
Premiership Player of the Season.

Off the field, Mujati has started his own brewing business out
of
his garage in Northampton. Life seems to be working out for him and his family in
Northampton and he decided to sign a new 3 year contract with the Saints.

WP Nel began his career in Western Province before impressing Naka
Drotske
whilst on loan to Boland in 2008 and grabbing an opportunity with the Cheetahs.

He first came to prominence in 2009 Currie Cup with some outstanding
performances for Cheetahs. At the end of the 2009 season, he was selected to
represented the Barbarians against All Blacks at Twickenham. Highly-rated by
Springbok legend Os du Randt, Nel has become an important player for the
Cheetahs with his powerful carrying and impressive work rate.

A powerful scrummager and strong ball carrier, Van Dyk made a name for
himself during the 2012 IRB Junior World Championships when he came off the
bench to help turn around a failing South African scrum that led to a big victory
over England and saw them qualify for the Semi-Finals. In the Final, Van Dyk was
instrumental in obliterating the New Zealand scrum and helping South Africa win the
competition for the first time.

Aside from his impressive scrummaging, Van Dyk's high work rate and immense
defence make him a valuable asset to any team.